Nicky Henderson: Sprinter Sacre set for Cheltenham
Nicky Henderson intends giving Sprinter Sacre his seasonal debut at Cheltenham next month before the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in December.
The Seven Barrows trainer reports the brilliant Arkle Trophy winner at this year’s Cheltenham Festival on course for his reappearance.
Henderson told At The Races: “We are going to go to Cheltenham.
“There’s a nice two-mile chase at the Paddy Power meeting which gives him three weeks before the Tingle Creek where we will meet Sanctuaire.
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“The programme just dictates that is what we have to do.
“It is a bit unfair on Finian’s Rainbow because he is the reigning two-mile chaser and he’s hardly getting a look in at the moment.
“In fairness that is because we are talking of upping him in trip, possibly that is because of Sprinter Sacre as well.”
At Taunton yesterday, the big race of the day a Class 3 handicap steeplechase over two miles and half a furlong.
It saw the Paul Nicholls trained Shooters Wood under Ruby Walsh go to post as 7/4 favourite.
Qoubila, trained by Tim Vaughan under jockey Aidan Coleman, made much of the running. But going into the final bend Shooters Wood was looking strong and still led coming into the home straight. Royale’s Charter ( 5/2) from the Nick Willams yard at South Molton put in a strong challenge and took the lead late on to win by half a length from the Nicholls horse. The Philip Hobbs-trained Alazan (7/1) ran a good race to end third.
The closing race, a national hunt flat race over two miles saw Uruba d’Irlande the 7/4 favourite under Walsh run out the winner, from second-placed Oscar’s Rock 13/2, trained by Harry Fry at Seaborough with Kilmurvy third at 16/1.
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